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AN 



ADDRESS 



TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 



AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, 



PRONOUNCED IN 



KING'S CHAPEL, BOSTON, 



THEIR FIRST ANNIVERSARY, \ 



OCTOBER S3, 184^3. '**' 



BY WILLIAM JF^KS, A. M. S. A. S. 

Pastor of a Church ia Bath, and i^'ofessor of Oriental Languages, &c. 
in BoM^oiar College, Maine. 



BOSTON : 

PUBLISHED BY ISAIAH THOMAS, JUN. 

.•• JVbvfmder— -1813. 






At a meeting of the Abierican ANXiauARiAN Society at the 
Exchange Coffee House, iu Boston, October 23d, 1813 — 

" Voted, unanimously, That the President and the two Vice 
Presidents be a Committee to express the thanks of this Society 
to the Rev. Professor Jenks for his ingenious and learned address, 
this day delivered, and to request of him a copy for publication." 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

The undersigned, appointed a Committee to make the re- 
quest and present the thanks expressed in the above vote, do ac- 
cordingly present you the hearty acknowledgments of the Society, 
and beg your kind compliance with their wishes. 

ISAIAH THOMAS, 
W. D. PECK, 
W. PAINE. 



Gentlemen, 

In compliance with tlie request of the Society, so obligingly 

communicated through you, I hereby commit to you a copy of the 

" Address," and am, with great respect. 

Your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM JEI^KS. 

Isaiah Thomas, Esa.") * 

Professor Peck, > Comimttee. 
Dr. Paine. J ^ 



ADDRESS. 



GENTLEMEN 

OF THE American Antiquarian Society, 

THE acceptance of your appointment to address 
you on this occasion, may well seem to demand an 
apology. I shall however decline to offer it, and 
tmst your candour and the indulgence of this au- 
dience, in proceeding to comply with my duty, as a 
member of your respected body, by obeying your de- 
sires. 

In the choice of your anniversary, gentlemen, you 
have seen fit to fix the attention of this Society and 
the publick on events worthy to be commemorated by 
all civilized America. Your name embraces a con- 
tinent. The first view of land belonging to the New 
World distinguishes this day in the annals of time.* 

* " A light, seen by Columbus at ten in the night of the eleventh of Octo- 
" her, was viewed as the harbinger of the wished for land ; and early tlie next 
"morning (Friday, Oct. 12th) land was distinctly seen." Dr. Holmes' 
Amer. Annals, Vol. 1. p. 4. In the Gregoriaa Calendar, or New Style, OctOi 
ber23d corresponds to this memoi^ble day. 



But you have not, I presume, selected this day for 
the purpose of hearing repeated the story of the Dis- 
coverer. Interesting and instructive as is his story, 
almost every circumstance of it has h.iippily become 
familiar even to our youth. In their earliest years, 
our countrymen of these United States associate the 
memory of the illustrious but long neglected citizen 
of Genoa, with the deep impressions made on their 
hearts, by the virtues of their political Father. In 
the latter they contemplate an example of national 
confidence unbounded yet secure, of publick houourji 
lost in ^^tlie wild majesty of private life,"* of power 
used with moderation and resigned with dignity ; in 
the former, talents, merit and conscious superiority to 
the men of the age meekly, yet with firmness, sub- 
mitting to disappointments, bearing the ingratitude of 
a penurious and jealous king, and, more than all, 
the undeserved success of haughty, worthless cour- 
tiers. 

Poetry, as well as History, has consecrated the 
achievements of Columbus. f But w^e must leave, 
for the present, to History and Poetry the pleasing 
task of dwelling on individual characters. The ap- 
propriate researches of the Anticpiary aim at objects 

/ 

* Akenside. t Sec the splendid national work of Barlow, .* 

/ 

/ 



less exposed to ordinary notice, yet illustrative often 
of the interests of nations. 

The concerns of the present moment generally en- 
gross the attention of the greater number of man- 
kind. " All things are full of labour ; man cannot 
utter it ; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the 
ear filled Avitli hearing.''* Multiplied and various, 
the affiiirs of business and pursuits of pleasure seem 
to require the whole man. But in every community 
will be found some, who are not satisfied with the 
contemplation of present objects only. They delight 
to trace the progress of events, and investigate their 
causes. They look back on manners, men and 
things, Avitli a curious, scrutinizing eye. And not 
unfrequently does the Antiquary return from his ex- 
cursions laden with invaluable spoils of time to swell 
the treasures of science and art. 

To a philosophick mind such employment is pleas- 
ing. The state of society, which we behold, has 
resulted from the accumulated labours of many gen- 
erations. Repeated efforts and experimehts in legis- 
lation have led mankind, by gradual advances, to as- 
certain and appreciate their mutual rights and duties, 
and, of course, the mutual bearing and dependence 

• Eccl. i. 8. 



6 

of each class and individual in society. The com- 
forts, conveniences and luxuries of life, at the present 
day so varied, lead to reflections on the progressive 
acquisitions of human research, enterprise, skill and 
industry. Even in nations highly civilized, History 
can point us to periods, wherein the eye is arrested 
by the gloom of savage indolence on the one hand, 
or the barbarism of savage rapacity on the other. 
To an observing traveller the face of the earth now 
exhibits an interesting variety of stages. He may see 
the human nature degraded to its lowest debasement 
in some portions of the earth, and trace the effects of 
art and industry, as his eye glances from tribe to 
tribe, and nation to nation, in the vast family of man. 
The native of New Hollantl, the rude mountaineer of 
Burmah, the wretched islander of Andaman,* the 
shivering Samoiede and disgusting Hottentot are al- 
most iniinitely removed from the state of refinement 
exhibited in Europeans and their descendants. Yet 
it improved the nourishment of the first population of 
Greece, to indicate the beech-nut ;t in Germany, 
Gaul and BritainJ human sacrifices were not unfre- 
quent, and, at her origin, imperial Romeji herself 

* SvMMEs's Embassy to Ava. f Pausanias, lib. viii. p. 599. (Ed. Kuhn.) 
* Taciti Germ. & Csesar de bello Gall. 1. 6. || Lir. 1. i. 8. 



7 

owed much of her greatness to outhiws of the sur- 
rounding country. 

Permit me then, Gentlemen, to invite your attention, 
and that of this audience^ to the general design of this 
Society, and a consideration of the utility and impor- 
tance of pursuits denominated Antiquarian. This 
will necessarily, indeed, open to us a wider field, than 
we can now survey with minuteness, or than can be 
cultivated, without time and labour. And perhaps a 
liberty of diffuse remark may best accord with the 
present occasion, in which the Society celebrates for 
the first time in publick its auspicious anniversary. 

Every thing regarding the Revelation, which the 
Creator and Governour of the universe has been 
pleased to make of his holy will and conduct, is in- 
teresting to us. Infidels have been found, who 
attempt to invalidate its proofs, or deny its authentici- 
ty. They have attacked the historical narrations of 
the scriptures, and with great zeal endeavoured to 
enlist in their service, the records, whether fabulous, 
interpolated, supposititious, or genuine, of ancient na- 
tions. They have denied the existence of certain facts, 
on the evidence of which much of the clearness, with 
which our holy religion is exhibited as divine, may 
seem to depend. Representations of external nature 



8 

made in the Bible have been ridiculedj its supposed 
pliilosophy held up to scorn, its chronology discarded, 
and, to say nothing of the manner, in which its re- 
corded miracles have been treated, the history of the 
Israelites, the style and manner of composition, and 
the allusions to Grentile nations have met obloquy and 
reproach.* 

That there are difficulties attending the adjustment 
of sacred chronology, none, who are versed in studies 
of that nature, will deny. But these difficulties have 
served to call forth the acuteness and learning of la- 
borious investigators. And though a Bolingbroke 
may affirm, that he has ^* a thorough contempt for all 
the researches into antiquity, for all the systems of 
chronology and history, that we owe to the immense 
labours of a ScaligeVf a Bocliart, a Petavius, an 
Usher, or even a Marsham ;" yet ^' to endeavour to 
digest the history of mankind, and of the principal 
events that have happened in the world, in a regular 
series, to mark the rise and fall of cities and emmres, 
to compare and connect the histories of different 
countries and nations, sacred history and profane ; 
and, in order to this, to lay together the scattered 
hints and fragments of different ages, is, notwithstand- 

* SeeLELAND's "View of Deistical Writers," and his « Reflections on 
Loi-d Bolingbroke's Letters on the studij and use of History." 



ing this degrading description of it^ a noble employ- 
ment, an employment that even a Sir Isaac JSTewton 
judged not to be unworthy of his great genius/'* 

Whatever learning elucidates the sacred records, 
repays amply the labour of acquisition. Hence they, 
who have appreciated justly the value of Divine 
Truth, have been anxiously sedulous to investigate 
all parts of history and philosophy connected with 
it ; and the student of biblical literature is now rich- 
ly furnished from their collected treasures. 

The high antiquity assigned to the history of the 
Egyptians has been a favourite theme with infidels. 
Among them Uupuis and Volney have considered 
fifteen or seventeen thousand years,t as the most prob- 
able period of their arrangement of the signs of the 
Zodiack. But this pretended antiquity beyond the 
accounts of Moses is amply disproved by the critical 
investigations of learned Antiquaries. Greece receiv- 
ed her mythology from Egypt, blended, as it was, 
with Phoenician rites, and Rome, in a considerable 
measure, from Greece. Illustrations, therefore, of 
Egyptian theology, including that of neighbouring 
countries of the East, apply with much force to the 
elucidation of the popular systems of religion in those 

• Lkland, Reflections, 8cc. f Priestley's Remarks on Dupuis' work 



10 

celebrated nations. And the whole has tended to es- 
tablish the great facts of a deluge, the repeopling of 
the earth from a single family, and a subsequent com- 
pulsory dispersion. 

In these studies no man, perhaps, has done more 
for the cause of truth, than the celebrated Bryant, 
a name ever to be mentioned by the Antiquary with 
respect and veneration. In his great work, " the 
Analysis of Ancient Mythology," he has undertaken 
'^ to divest it of every foreign and unmeaning orna- 
ment, and to display the truth in its native simplicity ; 
to show that all the rites and mysteries of the Gen- 
tiles were only so many memorials of their principal 
ancestors, and of the great occurrences, to which they 
had been witnesses" — that '' they all related to the 
history of the first ages, and to the same events, which 
are recorded by Moses."* 

While the frost work of Pagan fiction in Europe 

was thus dissolving before the rays of science, the 

recesses of Hindoo superstition, rendered tenfold 

more gloomy by Brahminic arts, were discovered and 

explored. In this survey the 

" Accomplished Jones — ^whose hand to every art 

" Could unknown charms and nameless grace impart, "f 

* Preface, cited by Holwell. Myth. Diet. f Grant's *• Poem on 
the restoration of learning in the East." 



a 

is regarded justly, as bearing away the palm from all 
competitors. He has identified tlie gods of Greece, 
Italy, and India, taken off the veil of mysterious se- 
crecy from ancient rites, reduced to historick possi- 
bility the boasted, tut " endless genealogies'' of Hin- 
dustan, curtailed the fabulous antiquity of China, and 
shown the world, that the great lawgiver of Israel 
was a historian and geographer as accurate, as he was 
a legislator divinely inspired. 

Bold indeed must be the infidel capable of reading 
and reflection, who, after weighing the elaborate dis- 
quisitions of such eminent scholars, would attack, on 
the ground these champions occupy, the authenticity 
of the scriptures of the Jews. Are we not rather con- 
vinced, to use the words of one, who has compared 
the " Institutions of Moses with those of the Hin- 
doos,''* that, " it has been by means of this one des- 
pised nation, (for Jesus the founder of the Chris- 
tion religion was of it") as concerning the fleshfj 
'^' that the knowledge of the one true God has been 
preserved and propagated in the world to this very 
day" — that " all nations that have not been directly 
or indirectly instructed by them are idolaters" — and 
that " it is to revelation only, and not to any exertion 

* Di-. PaiESTi.EY, p. 86 of his " Compurison." t ^""J- >•''• 5- 



of human reason, that we are indebted for such great 
and important light." 

If ah'eady so much has been done to aid the cause 
of truthj by the comparison of ancient profane history 
with the Sacred Scriptures, we may hope that what- 
ever obscurity yet remains will vanish, as the inves- 
tigations of learning are pursued with steady, perse- 
vering caution. 

But Sir William Jones and the venerated Bryant 
are only distinguished from a host of illustrious vota- 
ries of recondite learning. There has, in fact, never 
been wanting, since history has been written, a taste 
and inclination to search out, preserve and transmit 
the discoverable traces of ancient knowledge. Even 
Moses, the sacred instrument of the providence of 
GOD in leading Israel to the promised inheritance, 
and founding their commonwealth by Divine legisla- 
tion, slops at times his hallowed narrative to sketch 
its remnants.* Valuable fragments of Chaldsean, 
Phcenician and Egyptian history have been preserv- 
ed by JosEPHus and Eusebius, those valued Anti- 
quaries, whose toil has smoothed the path of succeed- 
ing historians. Homer too has cast light on the ori- 
gin and progress of nations ; and the amiable Plu- 

* Instances often occur, as Numb. xiii. 22. Deut. ii. 20 — 23. iii. 9, &c. 



13 

TARCii assists the enquirer by his learned disserta- 
tions on ordinary manners, religious superstitions, and 
general antiquities. 

Miscellaneous collections almost innumerable have 
also been made by individuals in ancient and modern 
times. AxHENiEUS and Gellius, Pliny and jElian 
have gained celebrity by this employment of their 
time, and rescued several valuable facts and names 
from oblivion*^ — while the deep and extensive eru- 
dition of Varro, Dionysius, Pausanias, Ptolemy 
and NoNNUS cast a strong and steady light on the 
subjects of their notice. 

Among the moderns we can hardly name a res- 
pectable historian or critick of weight, who has not 
felt the obligation to pay a marked regard to the 
study of antiquities. Indeed some knowledge of an- 
tiquities is indispensable to the historian, if not to en- 
able him to describe with accuracy the subjects of 
his record, yet at least to form a sound judgment of 
their character and importance. 

But I fear, lest the patience of this respected audi- 
ence may not accompany the speaker, should he at- 

• Yet " Vixere fortes ante Agametnnona 
" Multi ; sed omnes illacrymabiles 
" Ui-gentur, ignotir|ue longa 
" Nocte, carent quia vote sacro." 

HoR. Carm. I. iv. Od. 9. 



14 

tempt to review, though briefly, the branches of la- 
bour in this department of science. Yet why should 
he distrust it ? For in which of the cities of America 
have such pursuits met more attention and patronage, 
than in this ? He will not forget the solid and various 
learning of the illustrious Mathers, the accurate and 
laborious researches of the classick Belknap, nor the 
beloved name of Eliot, his early patron, and lament- 
ed literary friend and guide. 

I have not attempted to define antiquities, for they 
belong to almost every art and science ; and they, 
who have cultivated any art or science with attach- 
ment and diligence, may be often benefited by the 
history of its progress. 

In the important sciences, for instance, of legisla- 
tion, jurisprudence and statisticks, we have already 
seen in part the essential aid to be acquired, from pe- 
rusing the remains of ancient knowledge and experi- 
ment. The first formation of states, the sources of 
wealth and power, the origin of laws, their adaptation 
to the character and situation of the community, the 
result of this adaptation,* and the various changes of 
manners and government induced by circumstances j 

* — «« inde tibi, tujeque reipubllcfe, quod imitere capias ; inde foedum iu- 
" peptu, foedum exitu, quod vites.'' Liv. Prcef. 



15 

all these, as they are of high interest to the legislator, 
have found able and faithful observers, whose lessons, 
deduced from the happy or distressing experience of 
ages more or less remote, are the golden rules of the 
sagacious statesman. 

We might proceed w^ith almost every subject, that 
occupies the attention of mankind. Poetry has' its 
history and antiquities. The nature and progress 
of language has employed much curious speculation, 
and is still, and will long remain a fruitful theme of 
critical remark. Mathematics, geography, natural 
and experimental philosophy, agriculture, commerce, 
and " the art that embalms all arts,'' have had their 
stages of advancement, which inquisitive observers 
have delighted to record. Physiology is traced with 
interest from its rudest to its most cultivated state, from 
its stem to its branches ; and as its flourishing shoots 
are observed to multiply and expand, the pleasing 
fruit is expected to nourish and prolong human ex- 
istence, and its leaf to be " for the healing of the na- 
tions."* 

The history of the Church of GOD under the 
Jewish and Christian dispensations, as it has occii- 

* ReT. xxii. 2. 



16 

pied the pens of innumerable writers, derives eluci- 
dation greatly from judicious antiquarian labour. 

In all these branches it would be invidious to name 
only the few, who can find a place in this address ; 
yet must we not omit, in addition to those, who have 
been mentioned, the indefatigable Geotius, the 
learned Selden, Hottinger, D'Herbelot, Dupin 
and Cumberland. In another branch Me must dis- 
tinguish Camden, Stukeley, Ducange, Spelman, 
Dugdale, Sheringham and Barrington ; still fur- 
ther, GoGUET, De Guignes, Pelloutier, Caylus, 
Vallancey, Wilford and Maurice, nor pass by 
. the immense labours of Gronovius, Muratori, 
Gruter, and Montfaucon. 

If we except, however, the Jesuits, that once 
wealthy and powerful association, and some monas- 
tick orders, especially the Benedictines, few bodies 
have encouraged such pursuits, and several of the in- 
dustrious Antiquaries, Ave have named, were private 
scholars. Universities indeed, and other publick lit- 
erary institutions, have assisted such inquirers occa- 
sionally, but associations of men for purposes profes- 
sedly literary are the invaluable privilege of times 
comparatively modern. The Societies formed under 
royal patronage in London, Paris, Berlin, Peters- 



17 

burgh, and other cities of Europe, have greatly ad- 
vanced the progress of science, and by the publica- 
tion of select essays on subjects maturely examined 
introduced a precision and caution, which cannot but 
be favourable. At the same time the Antiquarian 
Societies of London and Edinburgh, with others em- 
bracing the same design, have brought before the 
publick a mass of valuable ancient topography, many 
curious remains of art, and interesting views of for- 
mer population and manners. 

The taste for such pursuits, which arose at the re- 
suscitation of liberal learning, and has increased in 
Europe to the present times, accompanied, as it now 
is, with bibliographick literature, has crossed the At- 
lantick. I do not say it has lately crossed for the 
first time, since, probably, there has been no period 
of the history of our European settlements destitute 
of those, who have directed their attention to these 
branches of enquiry. 

The preceding remarks, gentlemen, have been of- 
fered mostly, as introductory to a consideration of 
the special design and objects of the American An- 
tiquarian Society. If I have been successful in 
describing the value of researches into antiquity in 
general, and the interest excited by them in the minds 



18 

of many of the first and ripest scholars of ancient and 
modern times, I flatter myself we shall contemplate 
with increased regard the province appropriated to 
ourselves. With the stale objections to such pursuits, 
arising more, perhaps, from indolence or overwean- 
ing self esteem, than from sober conviction, although 
it be acknowledged that many of the apparently grave 
and learned have been egregious triflers, neither this 
audience, nor he, who addresses it, has any con- 
cern. 

Prevalent and successful, as the taste has been in 
Europe, for antiquarian research, it has also been ob- 
servable and striking here, and apparently increases. 
Already has it tlone much. A catalogue of the books, 
tracts, and documents of original value, which have 
been produced among us, must be considered honora- 
ry to our country. "^ The Historical Society of 
Massachusetts" has led the way in the encourage- 
ment of this taste, and in supplying means for its 
gratification. The liberal arrangements of its libra- 
vj cannot but be beneficial to those, who happily re- 
side in its vicinity, while its publications have been 
uninterrupted, interesting and satisfactory. Much 
was effected and is still doing by the respected Soci- 
eties instituted previously in Pennsylvania and Mas- 



19 

saclmsetts. But their designs embrace a wider range. 
It is a subject of felicitation to our country, that, in 
the increase of institutions of a literary and seientif- 
ick nature, there yet appears room for another asso- 
ciation, wliich shall still more appropriately than ei- 
ther of those, which before were instituted, devote 
itself to the acquisition, description and preservation 
of American Antiquities. The multiplying and se- 
curing of copies of ancient documents, their preserva- 
tion in the interiour, less exposed to ordinary hazards, 
and an additional interest excited in a greater num- 
ber of the community — some such considerations, as 
these, gentlemen, were^ probably motives for forming 
this Society. May its success answer your most 
lively expectations, and the best wishes of its 
friends. 

A few of the objects, which present themselves to 
an American Antiquary, shall now be noticed. 

The ancient Indian nations of our continent de- 
mand our first attention. 

Here an extensive field of enquiry opens at once. 
The present condition of the native Indian tribes in- 
dicates a deterioration in numbers, spirit and skill, 
if we survey them even by the light of those narra- 
tives, which have been left us by our ancestors, and 



20 

those;, who were first acquainted with this extensive 
country. 

America was discovered at a period, when the 
human mind, rousing from its long slumbers, began 
to exert itself anew in the splendid career of science. 
The invention of printing, as it offered a surprising 
facility in the multiplication of books, left their wri- 
ters more leisure to increase their original productions. 
Commerce had begun to expand the conceptions of 
men, to enlarge their enjoyments, and multiply their 
wants, as well as the means of supply. The stores 
of ancient literature were unlocked ; the precious 
manuscripts, which had survived the desolations of 
barbarism, and lain in tlic secrecy and silence of the 
cloister, were brought forth, committed to the press 
and distributed among the learned. The ruin of the 
empire of the East, by the final subjection of Con- 
stantinople to the Turks,* had expelled from that 
capital many Greeks of eminent accomplishments, 
who became the instructors of Italy. Science reviv- 
ed under the liberal patronage of the Princely 
Merchant of Florence,! and as his example allured 
others, a consequence was, that Italy furnished to 
fhe States of Europe not only the best statesmen, 

* A. D. U53. t Cosmo de' Medici. 



21 

and most accomplished scholars, but also the most 
skilful navigators, and most adventurous seamen.* 

No sooner was the discovery effected, than it began 
to be enquired Aviience the new race of men originat- 
ed — an enquiry, which has continued to employ the 
conjectures, and to animate the investigations of men 
of leisure and learning from that time to the present. 
Much, therefore, has been written on the subject, and 
many hypotheses formed. | Interest gave an edge 
to these speculations at that period ; for not only was 
it contended who first discovered America, but the 
honour of peopling it has been assigned successively 
to almost every nation ; it being then imagined, that 
some right in the soil would accrue to the nation, 
from which the population flowed. | 

AYedded to systems, and not always disposed to 
undergo the labour necessary to ascertain their truth. 



* Dr. Belknap observes, " It is remarkable that the three great Euro- 
pean kingdoms, Spain, England and France, made use of three Italians to con- 
duct their discoveries : Columbus, a Genctese ; Cabot, a Venetian ; and Ve- 
razzani, a Florentine." Am. Bioff. vol. I. p. 159. 

t See Hobertson's Hist, of Amer. and HoRNius de Gentium Amer. 
origine. 

\ Dr. Barton supposes the principle to have operated in the account so 
often copied from Dr. Powel's Hist, of Wales of the emigration of Madoc 
Med. and Phys. Journal. 



European writers have contented themselves too fre- 
quently with vague reports and slight resemblances. 
Hence their reasoning has been deceptive, and their 
results false. Yet the misrepresentations, wliich 
have been made by De Pauw and Buffon, and from 
which even Robertson is not freed, have happily 
excited able replies, from mature examination of 
facts ; and in the ^' Notes on Virginia," as well as 
the Abbe Clavigero's extensive and elaborate 
^' History of Mexico," the assertions of these writers, 
which are most glaringly inconsistent, are found re- 
futed. 

The exertions of the Society formed by the advice 
and under the presidency of Sir William Jones, of 
whose learned labours the '^ Asiatick Researches" 
will ever be esteemed a most honourable monument, 
have made us acquainted with many curious facts in 
the history of the nations of the east, which may tend 
to elucidate the great question of American popula- 
tion. But possibly traces of the daring enterprise 
and naval skill of the Cuthite or Amonian Fami- 
ly,* whose achievements form, in the opinion of Mr. 
Bryant, so great a portion of ancient mythology, 

* See especially Clarke's "Progress of Maritime Discovery," Introd. 
vol.1. Ewdards' West Indies, and Belknap's Biog. close of Introd. 
Dissert. 



33 

may yet be discovered on the western^ as well as eas- 
tern coasts of the American continent. 

How barren then soever the theme of Indian an- 
tiquities may appear at a superficial glance, because 
they present so few of those means of remote investi- 
gation, which are common on the old continent, as 
books, and monuments for recording important events, 
or commemorating distinguished characters ; yet it 
may be found, that etymological enquiry, cautiously 
and diligently pursued, with a careful investigation 
of religious rites and ceremonies, and the prevailing 
manners, will connect the history of our Indian pop- 
ulation with the ancient achievements of the early de- 
scendants of Noah. Already, in fact, has this course 
terminated here, in the result of the unremitting per- 
severance of our distinguished countryman, Dr. Bak- 
TON, whose '* New Views of the American Indians'" 
have led him to the same conclusions, to which en- 
quiries of a similar nature had conducted Mr. Bin • 
ANT and Sir William Jones. 

To collect complete vocabularies of tlie Indian 
tongues, to ascertain the boundaries of tlieir ancient 
governments, and the progress they made in the few 
arts, which were practised among them ; to obtaiu a 
knowledge of their numbers and circumstances at 



24. 

the various epochs of their progress or declension^ 
are objects of laudable curiosity. 

Connected Avith this are two subjects especially, 
which seem of much higher import, than the gratifi- 
cation of even laudable curiosity. Our Puritan An- 
cestors thought much and expended time, pains and 
money, in the truly christian work of evangelising 
the natives. In the single state of Massachusetts, 
toward the close of the 17tli century, more than thir- 
ty congregations of praying Indians met for publick 
worship,* and more than twenty Indian teachersf 
were the precious fruits to Christ of the " Pilgrims 
of Leyden," and their pious associates. How these 
churches have declined — what number of native In- 
dians are now to be regarded, as Christian brethren ; 
and how far the effects of Christianity are happily 
discernible among any, may well be esteemed fit sub- 
jects of enquiry. 

The other is this. A language of signs has been 
discovered, simple, easy, and intelligible, and sup- 
posed to savour of Asiatick origin.^ By means of 

* Neale. Dr. C. Mather's India Christ, 
t Noticed by Leusden, in dedicating his Hebrew Psalter to President 
Mather. 

t See a paper on this subject, communicated by William Dunbar, Esq 
of the Mississ. Ter. in Parti, vol. VI. of the " Transactions of the Amer. Phi- 
losoph. Society," Philadelphia. 



2o 

this, it is asserted, that, " Almost all Indian nations 
living between the Mississippi and the Western Amer- 
ican ocean" arc able to liold communication, ^^ al- 
though their respective oral tongues are frequently 
unknown to each other. '^ What a treasure would 
be this language of signs to a Christian Missionary 
among those nations ! 

A second general subject of enquiry is the Western 
Mounds of Earth. — These may in fact be considered 
as belonging to the preceding division. But as they 
are the only striking evidence we have of ancient pop- 
ulation, and the progress of arts in remote times, they 
demand a distinct notice. Their use is variously con- 
jectured. Ordinarily enclosures of this kind have been 
termed fortifications^ and contrivances for defence have 
been supposed to be ascertained. Others have consid- 
ered them the remains of ancient temples, and have 
discovered the altar and other appendages. But a 
third opinion is that of the Rev. Bishop Madison, as 
the result of personal observation, that these enclosures 
(for of the conical tumuli there is generally but one 
opinion) were only lines or fences erected for the 
purposes of agriculture.* Possibly this question 
may find a decision in the wilds of Siberia ; but a 

• See comrouni. Tol. VI. " Transac. of Amcr. Pliiloso. Soc." Philadel 



new interest lias of late ])een given to the subject by 
information respecting a tribe of Welsh Indians,* to 
whom the building of these enclosures and circular 
mounds is assigned by other Indians themselves. 
Few subjects connected with American antiquities 
have excited more curiosity than this, and few de- 
serve a more critical attention. 

A third branch of enquiry offers itself in the early 
Em'opean Settlements. — To ascertain by whom, at 
what time, and for what purpose settlements were 
made, and how long, if now deserted, they were held ; 
or their subsequent progress, if retained, belongs, in 
all its branches of Spanisli, French, English, Dutch, 
Portuguese, Danish and Swedish population, to the 
history and antiquities of our Continent ; as do also 
the fossil remains of animated nature, or primitive art. 

I shall but name a fourth brancli, consisting of Civil 
Antiquities. — This head of enquiry I propose to refer 
to the Em-opean accessions of population in America. 
At the time when the colonising of the southern portion 
of this vast continent commenced, Europe was in slav- 
ish subjection to the mandates of Home. But for 
some time before tlie northern portion received inhab- 
itants from England, Henry VIII. had shaken off 
the yoke. Our own ancestors were mostly dissenters 

* Stoddard's Sketclies of Louisiana. 



27 

from the Church esta])lishment in the reign of James, 
his sister's grandson. At that period the rights of sub- 
jects began to be discussed, but no Stuart wouhl 
willingly permit the discussion of the duties of kings. 

Would we form then a just opinion of the feelings, 
views and actions of the Fathers of Ncav England, 
we must attend minutely to their history. 'J'o judge of 
their treatment of Indians, for instance, it is necessary 
to ascertain their speculations and views concerning 
them. In all their conduct, ^.v e should make our con- 
clusions with reference to their times, their habits of 
life, and the progress of society in their memorable age. 

If in tliis manner we study their history, permit me 
to remark, we shall not only be impressed with a 
strong sense of their resolution, enterprise and piety; 
but also find our own views and feelings purified by 
converse with ancient times and ancient manners. 
An accurate observer of the world has suggested, 
that the man, who thinks little of his ancestors, Avill 
be careless of his posterity. Would we appreciate 
our privileges, we must contemplate their cost. If it 
is important to transmit them to posterity, we must 
be strongly impressed with their value ; for the more 
we value them, the greater will be our exertions to 
hand them down unimpaired to the coming age. But 
their worth can never be known, until we form a com- 



28 

parison between our institutions, rights and advantages 
and tliose of other times and other people. This com- 
parison will also tend to repress the inflations of indi- 
vidual and national vanity; for while it shows the 
origin and advancement of the principles of national 
greatness, by heightening our respect for solid worth, it 
may contribute much to imbue our own minds with 
those qualities, which have stood the test of time. 

To animate our labours, we will then look forward 
to the period, when that which is determined in the 
councils of the Almighty, shall be brought into effect 
by His gracious Providence, for human happiness and 
divine honour. Viewing in the discoveries of Revela- 
tion the designs of GOD, we anticipate the glory of the 
" latter daij.^^ Then, as we will hope, by Antiquarian 
researches only, shall be discovered traces of impure 
morals, and mistaken principles, vicious practices, 
diseased bodies, and violent animosities, gloomy super- 
stition and lax indifference, disregard of a Saviour. 
and careless neglect of the salvation of fellow men. 

You will therefore, gentlemen, unite with me in the 
fervent wish, that the Avorld may continue to grow 
wise, until it exhibit for ages a resemblance of heaven. 
For ourselves, and for our co temporaries, may it be the 
effort, privilege and delight of life, to contribute some- 
what at least toward such a consummation. — FIJS*JS, 

































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